The glitz and glamour of the Croisette seems like the natural habitat for a suave super-sleuth with expensive tastes, so it may come as some surprise that 007 is to visit the Cannes film festival for the first time later this month.

Eon Productions will not be debuting the new James Bond film, Skyfall, on the French riviera, however. Sam Mendes' movie, which arrives in cinemas on 26 October in the UK and on 9 November in the US, is still in post-production. Instead, in the year of the 50th anniversary of the Eon 007 films, they will screen five of the best-known Bond entries on the Cannes beach, including the series debut Dr No, which was released in 1962. The other films, being shown as part of the Cinema de la Plage screenings, are From Russia With Love, Diamonds Are Forever, On Her Majesty's Secret Service and Casino Royale.

"The screenings in Cannes mark a year long celebration including a return to theatres worldwide of some of the classic Bond films," said studios MGM and Sony in a statement.

This year's Cannes film festival runs from 16–27 May. Italian film director Nanni Moretti has been appointed president of the jury and the event will open with a screening of Wes Anderson's new film Moonrise Kingdom.